17 Things To Do In Sapporo In The Winter
After living in Sapporo long enough to experience all of the distinct seasons, winter might be the most magical time to visit this capital of the north. Known for being the snowiest metropolitan in the world, it certainly lives up to its expectations, and there are so many things you can only experience here during the winter season. And, of course, a major pull is the JAPOW, and epic skiing conditions on offer here.
Whilst the snow can be unpredictable at times, there’s a certain sense of magic and cosiness that wraps around the city during this time of year.
If you’re planning a trip to Sapporo this winter, here are 17 different things you can do to make the most out of your time here with a mix of winter activities for kids, and adults alike.
17 Things To Do In Sapporo In The Winter
1.Go Snow Tubing
There’s no shortage of snow in Sapporo, and lots of people flock to Sapporo every winter to enjoy the winter activities. If you want the exhilaration without getting onto skis, go snow tubing!
Across Sapporo there are lots of places that offer snow tubing, and it’s often completely FREE which was a total surprise to us after we moved here.
Takino Snow World is one of the best places for snow tubing as it has a 200m long run, picks up a lot of speed and is so much fun, no matter your age! There’s other winter activities you can enjoy at Takino too including snow shoeing and skiing for beginners.
2.Hill of The Buddha
Nearby to Takino Snow World is The Hill of The Buddha, an iconic landmark in Sapporo that can easily be tied into a day trip for winter activities in Takino.
Blanketed in snow during the height of the winter, the Buddha’s head still grazes the top of the landscape. Designed by world-renowned architect Tadao Ando and completed in July 2016, this striking worship hall is known as the “Hill of the Buddha.”
3.Visit The Iconic Snow Festival
During February, the Sapporo Snow Festival takes over Odori Park and it’s one of those bucket list events that is every bit as incredible as you would imagine.
Each year, around 200 snow sculptures are on display, plenty of food and drink stalls and the atmosphere is incredible. It’s what makes February one of the most popular times to visit Sapporo, so make sure you book flights and hotels in advance as they get booked up very quickly during this time of the year.
4.Try One of The Many Ski Resorts In The Region
Hokkaido is known for being one of the best places to ski in the world due to its fresh, powder snow, and plenty of it, and there are so many ski resorts in the surrounding area of Sapporo that you can enjoy during your visit.
Just 20-30 minutes from Sapporo city you can reach a handful of beginner friendly slopes such as Takino Snow World and other resorts such as Teine, Bankei and Fus. You’re never far from a ski slope in Sapporo and you don’t need to be in the heart of Niseko to enjoy the powder snow here in Hokkaido.
5. Walk To See The Frozen Waterfall – Ashiribetsu Falls
If you plan on spending a day at Takino Snow World, tie it in with a walk to see Ashiribetsu falls. Following the cross country trail down to the falls, the walk takes around 40 minutes to 1 hour, and is absolutely beautiful.
Ashiribetsu Falls is best seen during the winter so you can see the falls completely frozen! We visited in March when it was semi thawed, so visiting during the height of winter will give you the best chance of seeing this natural phenomenon.
6. Warm Up In Ramen Alley
For a true taste of traditional Japan, warm up from the cold with a trip to ramen alley in Susikino. This narrow ramen filled alley contains 17 distinct ramen shops so you’ll be spoilt for choice during your visit.
For a Sapporo speciality, opt for the miso or corn soup ramen.
7. Maruyama Park In The Snow
With the iconic torii gate that towers over the entrance to Maruyama Park and the Hokkaido Shrine, this park completely changes as the snow fall begins.
A quiet, magical and beautiful place to explore. There’s also a section within the park which offers a small, but free snow tubing experience as well!
8. Snow Shoeing
Rent or borrow a pair of snow shoes for the day and go snow shoeing! This popular activity can be done all over Sapporo, Makomanai Park is a lovely place to get out into nature whilst still being accessible on the end of the Namboku subway line from Sapporo station.
At Takino Snow World, they also offer snow shoe rental for FREE, so you could don your snow shoes and explore and enjoy a walk down to Ashiribetsu Falls at the same time.
9. Go Shopping In The Underground City
Yes, there really is a whole different city that lies beneath Sapporo. Cleverly designed so residents and visitors could escape the snow and cold of the winter, but still continue their everyday life.
It’s so easy to access the city on foot down here during the winter, which can be super challenging up top when it’s icy or a snowstorm takes over.
There are two shopping malls down here and so many shops, restaurants and cafes to explore. I also recommend a trip to the high end department stores Daimaru and Stellar Place which have lots of different concessions and have some lovely gift and souvenir ideas.
10. A Day Trip To Magical Otaru
With a romantic canal, a steaming clock tower and the gentle glow of the lights, Otaru turns up the magic when the snowfall arrives in winter. If you’re spending a few days or more in Sapporo, Otaru is a must visit day trip from Sapporo which takes around 1 hour.
We have a full guide on things to do in Otaru if you’re looking for more inspiration. It offers a completely different vibe to bustling city life in Sapporo, and there’s plenty of things to get up to in the area, depending on what you’re interested in.
11. Take In The Views of The City From The TV Tower
Where better to see the city of Sapporo from a different perspective than from the TV Tower. Nestled in the heart of the city in Odori Park, this is one thing I always recommend anyone to do in Sapporo, it’s inexpensive and a great way to see the city from a 360 degree angle.
If you want the experience, but are doing your trip on a budget, I recommend heading to the Sapporo City Hall which is directly next to the Sapporo TV tower. Head to the 19th floor and take in the best views of Sapporo for FREE. This little spot is so unknown to tourists and is a great place to take in the sights of the city (opening hours 9:30am-4:30pm).
12. Wrap Up Warm At The Munich Christmas Market
The Munich Christmas market takes place in Sapporo from the middle of November to December 25th, each year. Watch Odori Park turn into a magical, festive spot with a true German market experience, set against the mountains and snow that Sapporo enjoys every winter.
13. Enjoy The Late Night Parfait Culture
Did you know about the late night parfait culture in Japan? Instead of a night cap or a bowl of steaming ramen, it’s all about the most elaborate parfaits. Some parfait shops are open until 6am in the morning in Sapporo!
There are so many to choose from, but in the Susikino area I recommend Parfaiteria Pal, they’re slightly more expensive, but they offer the most exquisite, hand crafted designs, and they are absolutely delicious!
14. Mount Moiwa
Take the Mount Moiwa ropeway up to the top to soak in the wintry views of the surrounding mountains, and Sapporo city below.
If you’re looking for an unforgettable experience and meal whilst staying in Sapporo, book a table at The Jewels Restaurant which is at the top of Mount Moiwa. They offer a truly incredible tasting menu, and you can also pay extra for luxury seats so you have the most incredible, undisturbed view of the city at your feet.
15. Susikini By Night
Enjoy the neon lights, bustling city and late night fun in Susikino. This iconic area of Sapporo city comes alive at night, with ramen alley, Tanukikoji shopping street, plenty of bars and options for nightlife, including karaoke and bowling (head to Round1!).
There’s so many places to grab a bite to eat here which makes it incredibly popular as a destination in the evening, after a day of winter sports or exploring the rest of the city.
16. Snow Mobile Tour
If skiing isn’t enough for you and you want some further exhilaration during your trip, join a snow mobile tour! At Wonderland Sapporo they offer a snowmobile tour with Japan’s longest snowmobile course! They also have a snow park on site for rafting, banana boats or sledding and a snow mountain hut with a charcoal grilled BBQ!
This place is a true hidden, local gem in Sapporo and plenty of fun for the whole family.
17. Sapporo Beer Museum
If you’re a fan of the Sapporo Classic Beer or are just a beer lover in general, the Sapporo Beer Museum is a great escape from the cold grasp of winter.
Set in a beautiful building, you can explore certain parts of the museum for free, or you can pay extra to join a tour of the rest of the building. Head down to the bar once you’re done to grab a beer tasting tray! If you’re with kids, you might want to check out the Shiroi Koibito chocolate factory instead!
Winter is quite the time to visit Sapporo, and it’s definitely one of our favourites living here as you can go one way for bustling city life, and another and you’re high up in the mountains skiing or enjoying all the winter activities that are possible here in Sapporo!
Looking for some more winter inspiration in Sapporo? Take a look at our Sapporo 3 Day Itinerary For A Winter Visit which combines a mix of winter activities and fun in the heart of the city.
